E. Jones administered the Oaths of Office to Mayor Matt Childers and Council Members Cale Magruder, Paul Belt, Thomas Leffler and Justin Londagin.

President of the Council: Leffler made a motion to appoint Rawlings as President of the Council. Londagin seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Visitors:

Lisa Daniels, Executive Director for the Augusta Public Library, was present to request that the City donate municipal swimming pool passes to the Augusta Public Library to provide to kids for the summer reading program. Magruder made a motion to authorize 200 one day passes for the Library’s summer ready program. Belt seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Jeana McClure was present to request that the City Council consider changing the city’s ordinances to allow chickens within the city limits. McClure proposed a permit for maximum of 8 chickens, no roosters, housed in a clean and humane pen, and no slaughter in the city limits. Rawlings recommended the Council take the request under advisement at this time.

New Business:

Fire Division Commander Vehicle Bid: Rawlings made a motion to approve a bid award to Rusty Eck Ford in the amount of $19,597 for a new truck for the Fire Division Commander. Crum seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Electric Utility Easement and Right of Way: Reavis made a motion to approve and accept a ten foot Electrical Utility Easement and Right of Way granted by Robert J. Scott, property owner of 476 E. Broadway Avenue to the City of Augusta. Leffler seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Schedule Public Hearing for Neighborhood Revitalization Plan: Reavis made a motion to approve Resolution 2015-04 scheduling a public hearing for 7:00 p.m. on May 4, 2015 to seek public input on the City’s proposed Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. Rawlings seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Bill Reed Park Monument Signs: Rawlings made a motion to approve the Park Advisory Board’s recommendation to approve two limestone monument signs at Bill Reed Park sponsored by the Augusta Lion’s Club and to waive all sign permit fees. Crum seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Matters From/For Council:

Reavis made a motion to schedule a City Council Budget and Planning Retreat for May 9, 2015 from 11:30 to 2 p.m. at City Hall. Magruder seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Informational Memorandum and Final Comments:

Reavis: Reavis asked staff if they have had any more communications with the Augusta Little League Baseball about their banners. Sims stated the Parks Department Foreman has made contact with them. Sims stated the Little League has had some questions and that he has been working with the City Attorney to address them.

Reavis asked if staff taken a stance on letter received from The Wichita Eagle. Shaw stated the City Attorney was not available tonight to discuss the letter and he would like the City Attorney to advise the Council before any action is taken.

Childers: Childers asked Sarah Hoefgen, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, to remind the public of the Adopt-A-Pot program. Hoefgen stated program has started and you can plant the beginning of May. She stated there are 53 pots and you can get an application at the Chamber office.

Londagin: Londagin stated he was contacted by citizens about the stop light at Kelly and Ohio. He stated that right turns are triggering the lights to change.

Executive Session:

At 7:55 p.m. Rawlings made a motion to go into executive session for 30 minutes under the preliminary discussion of acquisition of real property exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act. Rawlings asked that City Manager Josh Shaw and Assistant City Manager Cody Sims join the Council in the executive session. The governing body will reconvene in the Council Chambers at 8:25 p.m. Londagin seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

At 8:25 p.m. Crum made a motion to exit executive session with no action being taken. Leffler seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Adjourn: At 8:26 p.m. Reavis made a motion to adjourn. Belt seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.